Angle of attack and yaw device, null pressure type



July 4, 1950 D. w. YOUNG 2,513,390

ANGLE OF ATTACK AND YAW DEVICE, NULL PRESSURE TYPE Filed June 11, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVEN TOR. 00/) M yam/6 BY -m Arr-naive,

July 4, 1950 D. w. YOUNG 2,513,390

ANGLE OF ATTACK AND YAW DEVICE, NULL PRESSURE TYPE Filed June 11, 1948 2 Sheets-Shet 2 5. Egg Q q k Q m INVENTOR. 00/1 M4 )WU/l/ BY Mai).- #9147 ATTOEA/f/ 41M Patented July 4, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ANGLE OF ATTACK AND YAW DEVICE, NULL PRESSURE TYPE (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) Claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes without payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to pitch and yaw angle indicators and more particularly to the null pressure type that indicates pitch and yaw angles simultaneously with respect to the air stream of a vehicle carrying the device through the atmosphere.

In my application entitled Angle of Attack and Yaw Indicator, bearing Serial No. 702,352, filed October 10, 1946, and patented March 8, 1949 as Patent No. 2,463,585, I set forth objects and advantages of a device for sensing the angle of pitch or the angle of yaw with respect to the air stream upon the device being carried through the atmosphere by some vehicular means, as aircraft. The single instrument of that application was adaptable to be controlled to indicate either the pitch angle or the yaw angle and has met with great favor as a precision instrument. However, it is most desirable to have a continuous and. simultaneous indication of both the angles of pitch and the angles of yaw in the navigation of a vehicle using the device. Using one instrument for registering pitch angles and another for registering yaw angles as a solution given in the above named application is quite satisfactory but for the extra cost of the two complete instruments, the additional installation requirements, the additional weight and the difficult problem of determining two desirable positions for the two instruments.

In the present invention, a sensing device is produced for providing both indications of pitch and yaw angles continuously and simultaneously. To accomplish this, the difierential pressure sensing head is made to rotate about either of two normally arranged axes of rotation to provide universal rotative movement in the sensing head. One turn motor operates to actuate the sensin head about one of its axes, as the pitch axis, and another turn motor operates to actuate the sensing head about its other axis, or the yaw axis. A self-synchronous transmitter-receiver couples the pitch axis operating motor to a pitch axis indicating or recording means and a yaw axis indicating or registering means is operative through a similar self-synchronous coupling to the yaw axis operating turn motor although other coupling means may be used, as direct mechanical drives, fluid, or electrical couplings known in the art. Each motor has a control circuit including a differential pressure control switch, each switch being subjected to differential pressure imposed thereon from corresponding pairs of ports in the sensing head to effect rotation of the respective motor to equalize the pressure in the corresponding pair of ports. The ports in the vertical plane of the sensing head are associated with the switch controlling the pitch axis motor while the ports in the horizontal plane are associated with the switch controlling the yaw axis motor. Each motor circuit incorporates sensing head limit switches and relays substantially the same as described for the indicating device shown and described in my above mentioned application.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide pitch and yaw indicating device capable of registering pitch and yaw angles continuously and simultaneously.

It is another object of this invention to provide a sensing head member that is universally supported on a mobile vehicle in the free air stream or mounted stationary in an air flow region to sense angular deviations of a reference line of the instrument with respect to the air stream in both the vertical and horizontal planes and effect registrations of these angular deviations on pitch and yaw indicators, recorders, or to operate vehicle directional and pitch control appliances.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a single instrument for continuously and simultaneously registering pitch and yaw angles of a longitudinal reference line thereof with respect to the impinging air stream by universally mounting a sensing head to rotate about two axes which are normal to each other, one of which is normal to the sensing head axis of symmetry and the other of which is normal to the longitudinal center line of the instrument, the sensing head being rotatable about each of its axes by a turn motor, one turn motor being under the control of a differential pressure responsive switch that is subjected to differential pressure from two ports arranged symmetrically about the sensing head axis of symmetry in a plane normal to the axis about which the associated turn motor exercises control and the other turn motor being under the control of another differential pressure responsive switch that is actuated by differential pressures transferred thereto from two ports lying symmetrically with the sensing head axis of symmetry and in a plane normal to the axis about which the associated turn motor rotates the sensing head, one set of ports being responsive to the air stream to establish control of the corre-' sponding turn motor for equalizing pressurein the set of ports for angles of pitch and the other 4 a positive non-rotative connection between the sensing head it and the large shaft St. A spirally wound spring 32 has its inner end attached to the large shaft 323 and its outer end attached, as by a pin or screw 33, to the outer perimeter of the gimbal element 29 to produce a slight bias in one rotative direction in the sensing head it for the purpose later to be described.

Centrally of the large shaft 36 is a rectangular opening 35 which is arranged perpendicularly to the'axis of symmetry, generally referred to as the of the sensing device with parts shown diagrarm' matically to facilitate the description of the inventive concept;

Fig. 2 is a partial sectional view of the sensing hide or stationary object (not shown) in free, air

stream relation. The outward extending end of the tubular support is flared outwardly at H to form a" concave spherical surface mouth portion l2 to receive a sensing head I3 having a spherical surface l4 companion to the mouth portion I2. The sensing head I3 is hollow and open at the rear and may take various shapes which would be'most suitable aerodynamically for anticipated air speeds. For the purpose of illustration, the leading portion of the sensing head is shown as being parabolic. Within the end portion of the tubular support It is a gimbal support l5 fastened in any well known manner having two outstanding arms IB that are curved outwardly in the formof a circle, the center of which is fixed at the center of curvature of the spherical surface I2. The arms I6 are spaced from the spherical surface I2 of the tubular support Ill a sufficientamount to allow free universal movement of the sensing head spherical portion it between the "sphericalsurfa'ce I2 and the arms [6. At diametrically opposed points on the arms it are threaded openings IT for receiving .cap screws l8 having'inner journal portions Is on which is pivotally mounted a spherically shaped gimbal element 2i. The upper cap screw has an extended journal portion 19a on which is mounted the inner end'of a spirally wound spring 22 the outer end of which is fastened as by a rivet or screw means 23 to the outer perimeter of the gimbal element 2| to produce a small bias in one rota- 3 tive direction on the gimbal element 2| for-the purpose later to be described.

As best viewed'in Fig. 2, a second axis of the sensinghead I3 is formed by two shafts 25 having flanged ends 26 that are supported on the inner cylindrical surface 21 of the sensing head 13 by screws 28 passing through the sensing head 13 and threaded into thei'langed ends 25 of the 1 shafts 25. The shafts 25 are positioned such that the axis formed thereby passes through the cornmon center for the spherical surfaces I2 and It. The shafts 25 pass through openings 25 in the 3 gimbal element 2! which openings are positioned 90 degrees from the journal points l9. Connecting the two shaft ends 25 is a large shaft 36 which has concentric longitudinally drilled openings in the ends thereof that receive the shafts 25. Pins 3| pass through openings drilled transverselyof the connecting shaft portions ..to form head and support taken on the longitudinal c'en- 'X-axis'of the sensing head. The central portion of' the large shaft 30 is also flattened at as on the two sides surrounding the opening 35. Passing through the opening is a pin 31 (note Fig. 1)

having tapered or conical ends 3%. The pin 3'1 is squared at its mid portion to a size substantially the same as the short side of the rectangularopening 35 and the pin 37 is retained in the opening 35 by a small key pin 39 such that the pin 31 will have slight rotative movement in a plane passing through the shaft axis but is retained from any rotative movement in a plane transversely of the shaft axis. Encirclin the large shaft 38 at its flattened portion 36 is a sector gear member made in two sections ll and 42 which are held together by screws 43. Each section 45, 32 has a cylindrical recess 44 to receive the pin 3'6 with a bearing established at the coni cal points 33. The opening in the. sector gear member 'receivingthe flattened portion 36 of the large shaft 30 is flattened at 45 to freely receive the shaft portion 36. The central portion of the sector gear member section ll has gear teeth :36 thereon and the upper section 42 has a rearwardly extending arm E7. The gimbal support. it has a diametrical web portion 48, the forward surface of which is spherically concave to receive the gimbal'element 21 with some clearance. The, gimbal element 25 has an'opening 4i! therein through which "the arm 41 extends and enters a slot 553 in the web portion 28 in which the arm d? isfree to slide when the sector gear member is rotated about its centeron the large shaft 30. The section 52 of the sector gear member has an arcuate extension 5! thereon that has a guide channel 52 into which is extended the journal end !9a of the cap screw it. The two guides 47, 5t and 52, 59a maintain the sector gear member 4!, 42 in a plane which passes through the vertical plane of the instrument and the pin 3! keeps the sector gear member centrally located on the large shaft 353.

On the rearward side of theweb portion 48 is a short extension 55 on which is sli'dably supported a sector gear 56 thathas two leg portions 57 extending around the web portion 43 of the gimbal support it with considerable clearance and is fixed to the spherical gimbal element 2! by foot portions 58 as by welding, bolting, orthe like. In meshing relation with the'sector gear 56 is a pinion gear 59 driven byashaft 6! which is rotatably mounted in thebearing member 52 supported in the tubular support 60. The shaft 62 has a nut and jam nut 63, 6d threaded thereon on opposite sides of the bearing member-t2 to. elim inate shaft end play. Through the bearingmember 62 is a second shaft 55 which extends through an opening 66 in the web $3 and has a worm gear 67 on the end thereof that meshes with the sector gear 46 on the sector member AI, 42. Shaft t5 has an enlarged portion 68 abutting thebearing member Bland a nut andjam nut 59, 1'5 threaded on the shaft on the'opposite side of 'the'bearing member 62 to'eliminate shaft endrplay. i Itmay how be seen that the two shafts GI and 65 are operative to rotate the sensing head I3 in the two axes of'rotation formed by the pivots I9 and 29. A clockwise rotation of shaft GI, looking forward over the device, rotates the sector gear 56 (see Fig. 2) clockwise carrying the gimbal element 2i and sensing head I3 along in the clockwise direction about the axis formed by the pivots I9. Swing of the large shaft 3B is permitted in the rectangular opening 45 of the sector gear member 4|, 42, the pivoting taking place about the conical points 38 of the pin 37. A counterclockwise rotation of the shaft GI of course, transmits counterclockwise movement to the sensing head I3, as viewed in Fig. 2. Clockwise rotation of shaft 65, assuming the worm gear to be left-handed, will produce a clockwise rotation of the sector gear member M, 42 which clockwise rotation is transmitted to the sensing head I3 through the pin 31, shafts 3!] and 25, as viewed in Fig. 1, about the pivotal points 29. counterclockwise rotation of the shaft 65 produces counterclockwise rotation of the sensing head I3. Rotation of the sensing head I3 about either of its axes may be carried out simultaneously and any back lash about either axis of movement will be taken up by the springs 22 and 32.

Referring particularly to Fig. l, the forward end of the sensing head I3 is bored from the rear at I which bore is concentric with the sensing headaxis of symmetry ac-x. counterbore It connects the bore ill with the interior of the sensing head It Within the wall surface 2! forming a shoulder 'Il'. A front partition wall member 78 is threaded in the threaded bore I6 until it engages the shoulder 'I'I. Threaded against the wall member 78 is a collar 79 having a metallic diaphragm 30 attached centrally thereof in any well known manner. An electrical contact element 8! is fused to the central portion of the diaphragm 6!) which cooperates with an adjustable contact element 82 threaded in an insulating bushing 83 that is threaded into the wall member IS. A dividing wall 84 is positioned against the collar IE! and a second collar 85 threaded against the dividing wall. The collar 85 has a metallic diaphragm 86 therein with a centrally located electrical contact 87. An outer wall member 83 is threaded against the collar 85 and carries an insulating bushing 89 centrally thereof which bushing has a contact element 90 threaded into the bushing 89 to cooperate with contact 81. The outer end of the contact element 90 has a sun gear 9! thereon that is rotatable by a small worm gear 92 journaled on a bracket 93 attached to the outer wall member 88. The shaft of the small worm gear 92 is slotted for the insertion of a screw driver in order that the clearance of contacts 81, 90 may be set from the exterior through a capped opening in the sensing head (not shown). The front contact element 82 is also slotted to receive a screw driver and may be reached through an opening in the sensing head that is normally closed by a removable screw plug 95. Each bushing 83, 89 has a terminal ring 96, 91 respectively therein for forming an electrical connection with the respective contact elements 32, $38. Very light boots 98 of rubber or the like, close the contacts from moisture and dirt.

Referring to Fig. 1 again, there are two ports I 09, IOI in the sensing head I3 that are connected to the chamber containing the diaphragm 86, the port I90 being connected by a duct I82 to v the back side of the diaphragm 86 and the port A threaded 7 IBI being connected by the duct I03 to the front side of this diaphragm. In a very similar man: her (see Fig. 2), the back side of the diaphragm 88 is connected by a duct I04 to a port I05 in the sensing head I3 while the front side of this diaphragm is connected by duct I06 to a port I07 in the sensing head I3. The pressure impressed at the ports of corresponding pairs, although this pressure may be sub-atmospheric, is impressed on oppositefaces of the corresponding diaphragm to actuate the respective contacts.

In order for the sensing head [3 to always be maintained in the null position, each pressure responsive diaphragm switch SI, 82 and 81,

is connected in a reversible turn motor circuit to rotate the sensing head always in a direction to maintain equal pressures in each pair of respective ports. The contact element 82 is connected through the terminal ring 96, a contact spring Hi9 insulatingly attached to the sensing head and a conductor IN] to an electronic relay I I l which relay controls power loads to a reversihis turn motor H2 through the cable H3. The turn motor M2 is mechanically connected to the shaft 6i. The relay III is normally positioned to energize the motor II2 for rotation in the counterclockwise direction, looking forward, and energization of the relay III, as by closure of contacts 8!, 82, will reverse the turn motor II2 direction in the same manner as described for the turn motor in the aforementioned application. Likewise, the contact element 98 is connected through the terminal ring at and conductor l I 5 to a second electronic relay Hi5 that controls the power load to a turn motor Ill through conductor 5 l3. Turn motor H1 is operative to control the sensing head about the axis formed by journals 29 through the shaft 65. The relay lIEi, as relay IIl, normally connects the turn motor I H to a power supply through a field winding to cause clock-wise rotation thereof, looking forward, and consequently clockwise rotation of the sensing head I3, viewed in Fig. 1. Closure of the contact 8'7, at causes the relay switch to produce counterclockwise rotation of the turn motor III to effect counterclockwise rotation of the sensing head I3. Each conductor Ill) and IE5 has a limit switch H9, I20 therein that is actuated by a cam I2I, I22 on the respective motor shaft to break the circuit and halt motor operation when the spherical head approaches its limit which has been constructed to be about 15 or 20 degrees. Limit switches I23 and E24 are arranged in the motor circuit to halt motor operation near the mechanical limit of the device in the direction of rotation opposite to that caused by relay energization.

Mechanically connected to the shaft 6! is a self-synchronous transmitter I25 that is electrically coupled through a cable I26 to a self-synchronous receiver motor I21 that drives an indicator I28. In like manner, a self-synchronous transmitter I29 connected to shaft 65 is electrically coupled by a. cable I39 to a self-synchronous receiver I3I that drives an indicator dial I32. The rotor winding circuit of the self-synchronous transmitter-receiver system is energized by a voltage source for operation as is well understood in the art. While the self-synchronous receivers are shown and described as driving indicators, the self-synchronous receivers may control power relay switches or other means operative to switch power loads of the vehicle controlling means or the like, where desirable, or control appliances may be operated directly when fro'infthisensing head pirate as described ini the "aidrmenti'oned application. The' seli -synchronous transmitters I25 and I29 act as signal producingo r generating means capable "of efiecting operation ofselfsynchronousreceivers, which in turn are capable of operating various instrumentalities and producing useful functions or results.

For the purpose of illustrating the'operation of the device, let it be assumed that the device positioned wellout in the free air stream in the position shown inFig. 1 such that the plane of the normal angle of attack assumed by the aircraitfwill have been efiective in the ports I Nil to cause a greater pressure in the port IIlI than Iii producing a greater pressure on the front side of diaphragm-83 than on the back side thereof causing the contacts 81, 98 to engage which energizes the relay II6 to cause turn motor II? to rotate counterclockwise to rotate the '10 is used on aircraft wherein the sensing head is" sensing head i3 counterclockwise until the contacts 37, 90 break. Breakage of the contacts 81, 9!] produces a reversal of the turn motor II 'I to rotate the sensing head clockwise until the contacts 87, 9!! are again engaged. The rotation of the'shaft 85 produces a signal in the self-synchronous transmitter I28 which causes a correspondingrotation by the self-synchronous receiver'l3l giving the pitch angle in degrees on the indicator I 32'." In actual practice, the turn motor i I'l oscillates in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions in an'attempt to maintain pressure in the ports I68 and IIJI equal at which position the sensing head axis of symmetry a:--ac is parallel to the air stream. However, this oscillation is extremely slight. In this manner, any change in pitch of the aircraft will produce immediate change of the sensing head to keep the axis of symmetry of the sensing head I3 in alignment with the air stream.

The operation of the sensing head for angles of yaw are the same as the operation for the sensing head for angles of pitch. For example, if the aircraft yaws to the left, a greater pressure will exist in the port hi5, passage I04 and in back of diaphragm 86 than in front of this diaphragm causingthe contacts 8 I ,82 to engage which closes a circuit through the relay II I to effect clockwise The clockwise rotation of the motor I I2 produces clockwise rorotation of the turn motor II2.

tation of the sensing'head I3 until the pressure in ports )5 and I 53'? are equal. The contacts make and break causing oscillation of the turn motor H2 in the same manner as explained for turn motor Ill and to maintain equal pressure in these ports. This yaw angle to the left is registered'on the indicator I28 for flight personnel.

I tactstli its and 63.155. The clearance between contacts 8!, I52 n1ay'be adjusted. as before by are registered in this same manner as yaws to the left, a further description of yaw angle operation is believed unnecessary. It is believed that from the foregoing description it is readily reccgi'iilzed thatthej pitclrfand e. -"entrb1s* are operative simultaneously to register pitch :and

yaw angles on the indicators I32 and I28 con tinuously. M m v I n y a I The electrical'com'ponents of the presentinvention may; with extreme care and selection, be extremely sensitiveand the contacts 82' and: adjusted such' that iany'hunting in the system about the null positions of-the' sensing head'may not'present any difiicultiesf Withouttoo much care in making the electrical components to op-' erate with' high precision, an interrupter may be placed in each'rnotor circuit which will reduce hunting to a minimum if such huntingexists.

However; such? an interrupter reduces speed of operation of the instrument somewhat which is a disadvantage;. It would be a decided advantage to havethe interrupter operative for angles;

within one degree of the null position but inoperative for greater angles to allow the turn motor v to speed the sensing'head without interruption toward the null position,

The use of the interrupter in the turn motor circuit is accornplished by modifying the'pre'sf sure responsive diaphragm switches in a mahner shown in'Fig. 3 wherein only one diaphragm switch is shown since the modification applies to both switches alike. Thebushing 83 is replaced by a bushing I50 havinga, central opening through "which a pin IEil of electrical insulating material is freely slidable. Contact elements I52 and it?! are attached to opposite ends of the pin 'I5I, the contact element I52 being in close operative relation with the contact 8| of the diaphragm St. A cap I54 encloses the contact element I53 and has a contact I55 attached therein that is slightly spaced fromthe contact elementl53. The dividing wall 84' has a contact element I55 insulatingly held thereon as by a bushing: I51 of insulating material, the contact I56 beingslightly spaced from the contact BI. The contact I52 is connected to the elec tronic relay I Itthrough theconductor H5. Contacts I55 and I 5% are connected by conductors I58 and I59 through-a relay IEO which, when energizeddisconnects the motor I 6| from a voltage source to halt rotation of the cam I62 that operates to cause periodic breaking of the voltage supply source feeding the turn motor 1. The cam 262 may be weighted to prevent the cam from stopping in a position in which the circuit to the turn motor II'I remains open. The contact 553 is grounded to the frame of the device, the frame serving as'o'ne conductor of the system.

Contact 8!. as previously-stated, is grounded the cap i iill slotted to receive a screw driver, that is non-rotatively fixed to the threaded bushing Iiiil. By' such switch means the respective turn motor will run steadily to return the sensing head i 3 to approach null position until the interrupter becomes eifective to periodically interrupt the motor circuit to bring the'sensing head to the null position in small increments;

Another arrangement of this interrupter circuit' justdescribed may bethat the interrupter canbe continuously operative and the contacts I53, I55 and 8|, I56 used to close a circuit bypassing the interrupter circuit to the turn motor I [1. While the above described circuit interrupter means illustrates simple methods of acquiring precision in the instrument, it is to be understood that various means may be used in combination with the pressure differential switch means shown in Fig. 3 to produce fast operation of the sensin device to assume null positions for large angle deviations and slow approach to null positions for small angle deviations.

It is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the several features and structure without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention and I desire to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A null type pitch and yaw indicating device for registering pitch and yaw angular deviations simultaneously with respect to the air stream comprising; a tubular support for attachment at one end to a supporting element to extend forwardly in free air stream relation and the other end being open to receive a sensing head, a sensing head universally mounted on said tubular support in said open end by a gimbal support pivotally holding a gimbal element providing rotation of said gimbal element about an axis transversely of a longitudinal center line of said tubular support, the gimbal element having journal portions in the plane of said last mentioned axis and 90 degrees therefrom through which a shaft extends connecting said sensing head; a motive power means operatively connected to said gimbal element for rotating said gimbal element about the axis formed by said gimbal support to rotate said sensing head, and a motive means operatively connected to said shaft for rotating said shaft to transmit rotation to said sensing head, one axis of rotation of said sensing head constituting a pitch axis and the other axis the yaw axis; a pair of pitch axis ports in said sensing head arranged symmetrically on opposite sides of an axis of symmetry of said sensing head in a plane normal to said sensing head pitch axis and a pair of yaw ports in said sensing head arranged symmetrically on opposite sides of said sensing head axis of symmetry in a plane normal to said sensing head yaw axis; differential pressure responsive controlling means in said sensing head and in communication with said pitch axis ports for controlling the activation of said motive means operative to rotate said sensing head about its pitch axis to maintain equal pressure in said pitch axis ports and a differential pressure responsive controlling means in said sensing head and in communication with said yaw axis ports for controlling the activation of said motive means operative to rotate said sensing head about its yaw axis to maintain equal pressure in said yaw axis ports; and pitch and yaw indicators associated with said sensing head to register angular deviations of said sensing head about the pitch and yaw axes, respectively, with respect to the longitudinal center line of said tubular support.

2. A null type pitch and yaw indicating device as set forth in claim 1 wherein each said motive means are electric turn motors that are operativelv connected through gears and shafting to rotate said sensing head about the corresponding pitch and yaw axes and each said differential responsive controlling means is a diaphragm operated switch.

8. A null type pitch and yaw indicating device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said diaphragm operated switches have back contacts that are engageable upon large diaphragm movements in either direction which back contacts of each diaphragm operated switch controls an interrupter circuit supplying a voltage source to the corresponding electric turn motor whereby the corresponding turn motor will operate uninterrupted for large pressure diiierentials in the corresponding pitch and yaw axis ports and operative to null small pressure differences in the corresponding pitch and yaw ports in small increments.

i. A null type pitch and yaw indicating device responsive to angular deviations with respect to the air stream comprising; a universally mounted sensing head carried on a support for positioning of said head in an air flow region, said head having symmetrically arranged spaced apart pairs of ports in both the vertical and horizontal planes of said head and providing pressure sensing means responsive to pitch and yaw angular changes respectively, a pair of differential pressure responsive switches in communication with the vertically and horizontally arranged ports respectively, a pair of independent motor actuators responsive to closing of the respective switches to actuate said sensing head in direction at right angles to each other to maintain equal pressures in the spaced apart ports of each pair thereof, and separate means coupled to each of said motor actuators to simultaneously indicate the angular deviations of said sensing head with respect to said support in vertical and horizontal planes respectively.

5. A null type pitch and yaw indicating device responsive to angular deviations with respect to the air stream comprising; a tubular supportfor attachment at one end to a supporting element to extend forwardly in free air stream relation and the other end being open to receive a sensing head, a sensing head universally mounted in the open end of said tubular support and having two pairs of ports on the forward side of said sensing head, each pair of ports being arranged in symmetrically opposed positions from an axis of symmetry of said sensing head with the pairs being located in planes normal to each other, one pair of ports being in a vertical plane and subject to the pressure difierence resulting from the air stream passing above and below the sensing head and the other pair of ports being in a horizontal plane and subject to the pressure difference resulting from the air stream passing along the right and left sides of the sensing head, a pair of differential pressure responsive switches in communication with the vertically and horizontally arranged pairs of ports respectively, a pair of independent motor actuators responsive to closing of the respective switches to actuate said sensing head in directions at ri ht angles to each other to maintain equal pressures in the spaced ports of each pair thereof, and separate means coupled. to each of said motor actuators to simultaneously indicate the angular deviations of said sensing head with respect to said tubular support in vertical and horizontal planes respectively.

6. A. null type pitch and yaw indicating device responsive to angular deviations with respect to the free air stream comprising; an elongated supporting member for attachment at one end to a supporting element and extending forwardly in free air stream relation, a gimbal element rotatably mounted on the forward end of said supporting member, a sensing head having one side thereof hollowed out to receive said gimbal ele- 11 Inent, means rotatably' mountingfsaidi'sensing head with respect to said gimbal' element on: an axis normal to the axis of rotation of said gimbal element with respect to said supportingmember, said head having symmetrically arranged spaced apartipairs of ports in both the vertical and horizontal planes of said head and providing pressure sensing means responsive to pitch and yaw angular changes respectively, a pair of differential; pressure responsive switches in communica tion with the vertically and horizontally arranged ports respectively; a pair of independent motor actuators responsive to closing of the respective switches to actuate said sensing head in directions at right angles to each other to maintain equal pressures in the spaced apart ports of each I pair thereof, and separate means coupled to each of said motor actuators to simultaneously indicate the angular deviations of said" sensing head with respect to said support in vertical and horizontal planes respectively. I

'7. A null typepitch and yaw indicating device responsive to angular deviations with respect to the'air' stream comprising; a tubular support for attachment at one'end to a supporting element and extending forwardly in free air stream rela tion, a sensing head universally mounted on said tubular support at the forward end by means of a pivotally mounted gimbal element having said sensing head pivotally connected thereto, said sensing head including two pairs of symmetrically arranged spaced ports on the forward side thereof arranged in the vertical and horizontal planes of said head and providing pressure sensing means responsive to pitch and yaw angular'changes respectively, a pair of differential pressure responsiveswitches in communication with the vertically and horizontally arranged ports respectively, a pair of "independent drive shafts extending in parallel relation through said tubular support longitudinally thereof, separate means at the; outer end of the respective driveshafts for transmitting motion from the respective shafts to the sensing head and gimbal element respectively to'turn said sensing head with respect to said gimbal element and to-turn said gimbal element' with respect to said tubular support, a pair of independent motors connected to said. pair of drive'shafts respectively and responsive to closing of the respective switche to actuate said sensing head in directions at right angles to each other to maintain equal pressures inthe spaced ports of each pair thereof, and separate means coupled to each of said motors tosimultaneously indicate the angular deviations of said sensing head with respect to said tubular support in vertical an horizontal planes respectively.

8. A null type pitch and yaw'device responsive to angular deviations with respect to the air stream comprising; a universally mounted sensing head carried on'asupport for positioning of said head in an air flow region, said head having symmetrically arranged spaced apart pairs of ports in both the vertical and horizontal planes of said head and providing pressure sensing means responsive to pitch and yaw angular changes respectively, a pair of differential pressure responsive electrical control devices, conduit -means connecting said pairs of ports-to the re .spective control devices for actuation thereof in response to differences in pressure at opposite ports of the respective pairs, sensing head actuating means under control of the respective control devicesvto rotate said sensing head in directions atright angles to eachother and coinciding withisaid vertical and horizontal planes to maintainequal pressures in the opposite ports of the respective pairs thereof, and a pair of signal producing means coupled to said sensing head actuating means to produce signals proportional to pitch'and yaw angular deviations respectively of said sensing head with respect to said support.

9. A null type pitch and yaw indicating device responsive to angular deviation with respect to the air stream comprising; a universally mounted sensing head carried on a support for positioning of said'head in an air flow region, said head having symmetrically arranged spaced apart pairs of ports in both the vertical and horizontal planes of said head and providing pressure sensing means responsive to pitch and yaw angular changes respectively, a pair of differentialpressure responsive electrical control devices, conduit meansconnecting said pairs of ports to the respective control devices for actuation thereof in response to differences in pressure at opposite ports of the respective pairs, sensing head actuating means under control of the respective control devices to rotate said sensing head in directions at right angles to each other and coinciding with said-vertical and horizontal planes to maintain equal pressures in the opposite ports of the respective pairs thereof, and indicating means coupled to said sensing head actuating means to simultaneouslyindicate the angular deviations of said sensing head with respect to said support in vertical and horizontal planes respectively.

10. A null type pitch'an'd yaw indicating device responsive to angular deviations with respect to the air stream comprising; a tubular support for attachment at one end to asupporting element and extending forwardly in free air stream relation; a sensing headuniversally mounted on said tubularsupport' at the forward end by means of a pivotally mounted gimhal element having said sensing head pivotally connected thereto, said sensing head having symmetrically arranged spaced apart pairs of ports on the forward side thereof arranged in the vertical and horizontal planes of said head and providing pressure sensing means responsive to pitch and yaw angular changes respectively, a pair of differential pressure responsive electrical control devices, conduit means connecting said pairs of ports to the respective control devices for actuation thereof in response to" diiierences in pressure at opposite ports of'the respective pairs, sensing head actuating means under control of the respective control devices to rotate said sensing head in directions at right angles to each other and coinciding with said vertical and horizontal planes to maintain equal pressures in the opposite ports of the-respective pairs thereof, and indicating means coupled to said sensing head actuating means to simultaneously indicate the angular deviations of said sensing head with respect to said support in vertical and horizontal planes respectively.

DON W. YOUNG.

REFERENKJES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Young Mar. 8, 1949 Number 

